Investigators showed that NLRP3 protects the integrity of the alveolar barrier in a mouse model of Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced pneumonia, and ex vivo upon treatment of isolated perfused and ventilated lungs with the purified bacterial toxin, pneumolysin. [Sci Rep]
Full Article

LUNG CANCER

Scientists discovered a novel long noncoding RNA termed GAS5-AS1 as a tumor suppressor in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The expression of GAS5-AS1 in NSCLC tumors was much lower than that in the adjacent normal lung tissues. [Sci Rep]
Full Article

The authors performed a comprehensive appraisal of the literature dealing with radiation lung injury of mice and to critically evaluate the validity and clinical relevance of the research. [Lab Invest]
Abstract

PharmaMar announced the start of a pivotal Phase III ATLANTIS study evaluating efficacy and safety of PM1183 (lurbinectedin) in combination with doxorubicin versus topotecan or the combination VCR (cyclophosphamide, adriamicine (doxorubicin and vincristine) in patients with small cell lung cancer after the failure of one prior platinumcontaining line. Topotecan is the only drug approved both in USA and Europe for this indication. [PharmaMar]
Press Release

Merck announced that the European Commission has approved KEYTRUDA®, the company’s anti-PD-1 therapy, at a dose of 2 mg/kg every three weeks, for patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in patients whose tumors express PD-L1 and who have received at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. [Merck]
Press Release

Worried at the prospect of losing access to EU funding and collaborations, scientific societies have fired off numerous letters asking the government to keep their country in the EU’s research system, and warning of damage already caused by Brexit. [Nature News]
Editorial

The United Kingdom’s mammoth periodic audit of its research is set for a shake-up that could change the way universities hire academics – and might also encourage scientists to spend more time on public engagement. [Nature News]
Editorial

As the Turkish government restores order after the failed coup, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and seven other leading science and engineering societies expressed concern for the human rights of the Turkish scientific community, which has reportedly been subject to restrictions including travel bans and the ordered return of Turkish academics working abroad. [American Association for the Advancement of Science]
Editorial